Parachute pack and release means therefor



Aug. 28, 1951 G. B. BROWN 2,565,470

PARACEUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS TEEEEEOR Filed Feb. 21, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q. azz/IL @A 777ml?? Aug. 28, 1951 G. B. BRC-JWN 2,565,470

PARACHUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS THEREF'OR Filed Feb. 2l, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A f//fww Aug. 28, 1951 G. B. BROWN 2,565,470

PARACHUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS THERE-'FOR Filed Feb. 21, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 28, 1951 G. B. BROWN PARACHUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS THEREF'OR 7 Smeets-'sheet 4 Filed Feb. 21, 1944 FIG 7.

6.5579030?? 7/ fncwj Aug. 28, 1951 G. B. BROWN 2,565,470

PAEACHUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS THEREEOR Fild Feb. 21, 1944 7 sheets-sheet 5 G. B. BROWN PARA'CHUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 21, 1944 Aug. 28, 1951 7 Sheets-Shea?l 6 vm mm Emil/lz /fz ms Nm .QN. .NNNMuNi mm Aug. 2s, 1951 GB. BRQWN 2,565,470

' PARACHUTE PACK AND RELEASE MEANS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 21, 1944 Y 7 sheets-sheet 7 Patented Aug. 28, 1951 IARAMDHUTE PACK AND REIJASEVMEAN S uIHEREFOR Graham B.,Brown, Washington, D.-G.

Appncation February 21, 1944; seria1Nc."523;247

l(Granted under the act of .March 3, 1883, as

5115 '..Claims rlhisinvention relates Vto a parachute -pack and release means therefor and more specifically to a Apack for a parachute employedfor retardng the downward `movement and Veffecting `the safe descent and 1anding of objects Afrom aeronautical vehicles in which Athe parachute `is automatically disconnected from the object in response to the shock of impact Yas the object lands 4within a target area.

The invention is particularly adapted for use withaircraft planted marine mines in which the parachute is-compactly stowed within a rigid pack comprising two separable members secured to the mine prior-tothe launching thereof and in which means are employed to cause -the parachute to open when the mine has dropped a predetermined distance from the aircraft thereby toenable the mine to vbe planted withina target area with a high degree of accuracy. `.As the mine strikes the surface of the water,the shockV of ,impact causes an inertia member to operate and disconnectftheparachute from-the mine.

In devices .of .this class heretofore devised, it has been the usual practice to stow the parachute within a pack composed of eXible material such, for example, as canvas. vThese packs have not proven altogether satisfactory under conditions of service for Athe reason that considerable diiculty has beenexperienced'in-maintainingfthe Y pack in a predetermined restricted shape .and size and furthermore, particularly in the ycase of a large parachute, -the .packhas proved to be difcult to handle.

In the arrangement of -thepresent invention,

the pack is composed of two rigid-complementary sections within Which the parachute and shroud lines are stored, the sections being held-together releasably by -a plurality of straps adapted to be released by means controlledV by a staticcord securedto the aircraft when the mine has dropped a predetermined distance fromv'the aircraft. '-Ihe static cord is also attached to the hem cord kof the parachute thereby `quickly hauling the parachute out of the vpack and into the air, the upper portion of the pack being cast-aside concurrently therewith. The static line includes a length of cord, hereinafter referred to as `a break cord,-.of Alesser -tensilestrength than the vstatic line thereby to cause the static connection to be broken when the tension applied thereto by the parachute is suiicient to snap the break cord.

The parachute is provided with ,a plurality of shroud lines secured at intervals to a hem cord and Yattached at the opposite end thereof to Aan .annular member releasably held in place by an .amended April '30, 1928; 370 0,`G. 757)V Y i2 inertia controlledelement and adaptedto disconneet -theshroud lines yfrom the mine in response to the shock of impact of the mine against )the surface of the Water.

One of-the objects of the present invention .is the provisions of a new and improved parachute pack ,detachably secured to a load in which the packA and load .are of predetermined size land shape.

l,Another of the objects is the provision .of a new and improved parachute pack of .predetermined size vand shape in which means are -providedfor tightly stowing the .parachute therein.

.Another object is the provision of .a new and improved parachute pack for a mine adapted to be planted from Yan aircraft in flight and which will not bedeformedlby the slip stream to which the pack is exposed during the flight.

v Another of thecbjects is. .to provide a new :and improved parachute packladapted to be carried by anairplane within the slip stream thereof in which the parachute stowed therein is protected from .the weather while the airplane is passing through a storm.

Another ofthe -objects is the provision of new and`improved inertia controlled means for disconnecting ,a parachute from a mine `as the mine strikes the surface of a body of water.

Avfurther object is the provision of means for disconnecting the parachute and a por'tionof `the pack from the mine as the mine strikes the surface of a body of water.

A stillfurther object is to provide a new and improved parachutespack having means for tightly stowing a parachute therein which is economical to manufacture, reliable in operation, and which possesses allof the qualities of ruggedness and durability inservice. l

lStill other objects, advantages and improvements will Vbecomeapparent from Athe following description taken in connection with the accomp anying `drawings of which:

Fig. Y1 shows in diagrammatic Yform the launching yfrom anaircraft in flightV of .a submarine mine employing the device of the present .invention;

Fig. 2 isan enlarged view of the mine of Fig. .1 showing the `parachute pack secured thereto;

Fig. .3.is ,an end viewsomew-hat enlarged `of -the kparachute pack Aof Eig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged andpartly insection showing a preferred form ofstructure for releasably,maintainingthe parachute pack in a closed condition;

Fig. Vv5 vis a view of Aone of the fasteners employed 3 with the device of the present invention showing the parts in an open position with the parts hooked together;

Fig. 6 shows the fastener of Fig. 5 in a closed and locked position;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in elevation and partly broken away of the parachute pack of Fig. 1 and the supporting and releasing means therefor;

Fig. 8 shows a device suitable for preventing the premature withdrawal of the shroud line from the parachute pack;

Fig. 9 is an end view of the portion of the parachute casing secured to the mine with the parachute and cover removed;

Fig. 10 shows the cover for the casing of Fig. 9 viewed from the inside;

Fig. l1 is a sectional view of the pocket taken along the line II-II of Fig. 3 and showing a portion of the static line arranged therein;

Fig. 12 is a view in perspective of one of the eye fasteners employed with the device of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of a detachable conical button suitable for use with the eye fastener of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 shows the means for attaching one end of the static line to the hem cord of the parachute;

Fig. 15 is a view in elevation of the parachute the aircraft I9of Fig. 1 and fall away from the craft as at 2l when released therefrom. When the static cord 22 releases the upper portion of the parachute pack, the pull of the static cord causes the parachute I2 to be withdrawn therefrom and filled with air by the forwardly and downwardly moving mine as at 23. The mine is suspended from the parachute as at 24 and strikes the surface of the water as at 25, the force of impact of the mine against the water causing the parachute to be detached from the mine and, after floating for a brief period of time on the surface of the water as at 26, to

pack according to an alternative form of the invention;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view taken substanv tially along the line Iii-I6 of Fig. 15 showing an end portion of the mine partly in section;

Fig. 17 is a View of the dished portion of the parachute casing viewed from the inside with the parachute and cover removed;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged taken substantially along the line I8-I8 of Fig. 15;

' Fig. 19 is a view in perspective of one of the fasteners employed with the device of Fig. 15;

Fig. 20 is a view in perspective of the inner disk suitable for use with the fastener of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a View in perspective of the outer locking disk employed "with the fastener shown in Fig. 19; and, Fig. 22 shows a modified arrangement for releasably holding the cover fastening straps.

' Referring now to the drawings on which like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof there is shown thereon a mine indicated generally by the numeral IIJ provided with a `parachute pack II within which is stowed, prior to the launching of the mine, a parachute I2. The parachute is connected by a plurality of shroud lines I3 to a plurality of hooks I4, Fig. 2, respectively connected thereto, each of the hooks having an L- shaped member I5 respectively secured thereto in any suitable manner as by welding the parts together. Each of the L-shaped members I5 is secured to a separable ring I6 held together at the ends thereof by a releasable inertia device indicated generally at I1 in registered engagement with an annular member I8 secured to the tail of the mine. The mine may be of any type suitable for the purpose such. for example, as the mine disclosed and claimed in the copending application of John I. Thompson et al. for Marine Mine, Serial No. 523,088, led February 19, 1944.

' The mine l0 is adapted to be released from come to rest on the bed of the body of water as at 21. The mine continues to travel through the water and come to rest on the bed thereof as at 28.

The mine pack comprises a curved base 29 preferably of symmetrical shape, and provided at the central portion-thereof with a support 3| having a flange or disk 32 secured thereto adapted to clamp the base 29 at the central portion thereof as by the clamping plate 33 and rivets 34. The support 3| is threaded interiorally and adapted to be attached to the tail cover of the mine I0 bythe threaded plug 35 secured thereto, the tail cover being preferably curved substantially as shown thereby to conform generally to the contour of the base 29 and provide a compact arrangement of the pack and the mine. The base 29 is provided with a plurality of toggle fasteners or clasps 36 arranged exteriorly thereon and secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the rivets 31, the clasp comprising a bifurcated member 38 having a toggle member 39 pivotally secured thereto as at 4I and an element 42 transversely arranged within the toggle member to which one end of a flexible strap 43 is secured.

When the flexible straps 43 have been drawn tightly together about the pack and secured, as will more clearly appear as the description proceeds, the toggle member 39 is moved to the position shown on Fig. 6 thereby additionally tightening the straps 43. The toggle member is locked in the position shown on Fig. 6 by any suitable means such as the screw 44 illustrated. The base 29 is provided at the periphery thereof with a lip section 45 adapted to receive and support a cover 46, a plurality of recessed portions 41 being provided in the base at the lip portion thereof for the purpose of enabling the shroud lines to extend from the pack while the cover is assembled thereto. The base 29 and cover 46 are composed of rigid material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as canvas impregnated with phenol formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde although, if desired, the cover and base may be composed of metal.

The cover 46 comprises a tapered portion 48 and a substantially flat portion 49 having a recessed portion 5I centrally arranged therein. The cover is also recessed as at 52, Fig. 11, and provided with a flap 53 secured thereto as by the rivets 54 thereby to form a pocket 55 adapted to be partially closed by a snap fastener 56 having two complementary detachable elements secured to the cover 46 at the flat portion 49 thereof and to the flap 53 respectively. There is arranged within the pocket 52, a length of static line 51, the purpose of which will be more clearly apparent as the description proceeds. The arrangement thus far described, comprises a rigid parachute `pack having two separable sections and adapted to enclose and protect from the weather a parachute such, for example as the parachute disclosed and claimedv in my Patent 2,411,868 of December 3, 1946.

The manner in which the parachute is stowed within the pack will now be described. The parachute l2 is provided, for the purpose of illustration, with 32 shroud lines, four adjacent shroud lines being grouped together and secured to a sleeve 58 composed of canvas or the like and provided with a wire clip 59 thereon substantially as shown, the sleeve 58 being secured to an end portion of the shroud lines at a predetermined distance from the loop 6| formed thereon. The shroud lines are disposed within the recessed portions el' of the base 29 with the clips 5S arranged within the base and in substantial abutting relation therewith. The hooks Ill are adjusted about the annular member I8 and the inertia member Il comprising a slideable rod or plunger 62 is inserted within the end portions of the split ring i5 thereby releasably securing the split ring and hooks to the tail end of the mine. The rod 62 is provided with a collar 63 and an aperture di?. within which is arranged a wire or rod $5 composed of metal suitable for the purpose such, for example, as copper adapted to be sheared by the force of inertia of a weight 66 secured to the rod as the mine strikes the surface of a body of water and thereby release the split ring I6 and cause the parachute to be detached from the mine.

The remaining portion of the shroud lines and the canopy is folded into a compact mass or stow and the cover @E is placed thereover in substantial register engagement with the lip section G5 of the base. The cover llt, it will be noted, is relatively deep in proportion to the width thereof whereby a considerable portion of the parachute is exposed to the dragging action of the air as the cover is removed from the base thereby assisting the static line in quickly and positively opening the canopy at a predetermined distance from the aircraft.

The straps '33 are now brought over and around the cover et and the lugs El secured thereto are placed in registered engagement with a release cone (i8, the release cone being preferably tapered as shown to facilitate the placing of the lugs thereon and the release of the lugs therefrom in response to a pull on the static cord. When all of the lugs 6l have been arranged on the release cone 58, a cover or disk E9 is placed on top of the lugs and ian arming pin il inserted within an aperture I2 disposed within the apex of the cone member 68, the arming pin additionally passing through an aperture f3 formed within a raised portion 'M of the plate S9. The plate E9 is also preferably provided with two additional raised portions 'l5 whereby the portions l@ and T5 are employed to strengthen the plate 69 and maintain the plate substantially flat at all times. The arming -pin 1I is provided with an eye 'it to which is secured a looped portion of the static line 22, the end of the static line being secured to the hem cord 11 of the parachute canopy 78 by a short length of cord 29 having a lesser tensile strength than` the static line or the hem cord whereby the static line is disconnected from the hem cord by the breakage of the cord 79 when the parachute has been pulled clear of the pack.

The toggle members 39 are now moved to the position shown on Fig. 6 and secured by the screws 114 respectively associated therewith thereby additionally tightening the straps 43 VVand tightly stowing the parachute within the pack-by bringing the cover46 into secure registered engagement with the base 29. The parachute is now tightly stowed within the pack. When placing the lugs 67 on the release cone G8, it has been found desirable to arrange'the lugs such that adjacent lugs are associated with a pair of diametrically arranged straps whereby the pull of each strap against the release cone is directly opposed by the pull of a diametrically arranged strap. The forces acting on the cone 68 are therefore balanced and thus there is no possibility of failure of the lugs to release from the cone member' as the arming pin 1| is withdrawn therefrom.

A suitable length such, for example, as a length of ve feet of static line is stowed within the pocket 55 and the line is secured to the edge of the pocket by a light line or cord 8| at each of the points of emergence of the static line therefrom. The snap fastener 56 is now closed. The remaining length of static line is provided with a loop-82 suitable for attachment to the aircraft at a relatively short distance such, for example, as four feet from the pocket. The length of static line 8-3 extending between the arming pin H and the hem cord is of just suilcient length to complete the connection therebetween when the parachute is stowed within the pack and thus the length 83 of the static cord is drawn tightly against the cover 46 whereby there is no possibility of the arming pin being prematurely withdrawn from the release cone 58 as the result of pressure of the air thereagainst when the mine is arranged within the slip stream of the aircraft.

The operation of the parachute and the release means therefor will now be described. Let it be assumed, by way of example, that a parachute has been stowed within the pack I l secured to the tail portion of the mine I0 and the shroud lines are connected to the annular member i3 of the mine by the hooks le and the split ring I6, the split ring being detachably maintained in the assembled position by the inertia device l1 and the shear wire 65 has been assembled within the end of the plunger 52. Let it further be assumed that the mine is releasably secured to an aircraft, such as the aircraft I9 illustrated, within the slip stream thereof and that the end of the static line at the looped portion 82 thereof has been made fast to the aircraft.

As the mine is released from the aircraft in flight, the mine starts to fall away from the aircraft thereby causing the cords 8i to be brokeri and the additional loop portion of the static cord within the pocket 55 to be withdrawn therefrom. When the mine has traveled a predetermined distance from the aircraft, the arming pin TI is withdrawn from the release cone 68 and the straps 43 are released.

As the portion 83 of the static cord becomes taut, the parachute is pulled forcibly from the base 29 of the pack thereby causing the cover 4S to be quickly detached and the parachute to be brought into the slip stream of the falling mine. The canopy of the parachute is thus quickly opened, and detached from the static cord as the break cord 19 snaps in response to the strain applied thereto by the hem cord 1l. By providing an arrangement of the type disclosed in which the parachute is quickly opened at a predetermined distance from the aircraft in flight, the mine is adapted to be planted with a high degree of precision withinthe target area.

.'AsY the mine strikes the surface of the Water,

the inertia of the mass 66 of the inertia element |1 causes the wire B5 to be sheared and the rod 62 to be withdrawn from the ends of the split ring I6. When this occurs, the split ring springs open by reason of an initial tension applied thereto, the opening of the split ring `being further accelerated by the provision of a flat spring 84 arranged between the split ring and the periphery of the annular member I8. The parachute is thus disconnected from the mine at the moment of contact of the mine with the surface of the water and drifts away and comes to rest on the .bed of a body of water, the mine sinking within the water and coming to rest on the bed thereof without leaving a trace of its whereabouts.

On Figs. 15 and 16 there is shown a parachute pack and releasing means therefor in accordance with an alternative form of the invention, in which the parachute and the base of the pack are released from the mine as the mine strikes the surface of the water, the structure comprising a base 35 preferably recessed as at 86. An annular member 81 composed preferably of metal is provided with a plurality of supports 88 se-` cured thereto in any suitable manner as by weld,- ing the parts together, the supports being securely attached to the base 85 in any suitable manner as .by the rivets 89. Secured to the ex-v terior portion of the base are a plurality of toggle members or clasps 9| similar to the clasps 36 and adapted to tighten the straps 92 respectively connected thereto and thereby tightly stow the parachute within the pack. When the straps have been tightened, the toggle members are secured by the screws S3. The base is provided with a lip portion 94 extending about the periphery thereof adapted to receive and engage a cover 95. The base and cover may be composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as phenol formaldehyde resin impregnated duck or urea formaldehyde resin impregnated duck or, if desired, the base and cover may be composed of metal.

The means by which the pack is detachably secured to the mine will now be described. The mine indicated generally by the numeral 95 is provided with a tapered tail portion 91 and a plurality of iins 98 secured thereto about which is arranged a stabilizer 99 of material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as plywood secured to and supported by the ns. The tail of the mine is provided with a threaded post arranged coaxially with respect to the mine casing and recessed therein thereby to form an annular chamber |02 and a circular shoulder |03 on the tail portion of the mine casing. Threaded upon the post I0! is a cylindrical member |04 having a shoulder or collar |05 thereon adapted to engage a plurality of locking'balls |06 suicient in number to withstand the load applied thereto by the parachute. slideably arranged upon the cylindrical member |04 is an annular inertia member |01 comprising a race adapted to receive and engage the balls |06, the member |01 normally being urged outwardly into locking engagement with the balls by a spring |08 arranged about the member |04 at the cylindrical portion thereof.

The member |04 is maintained in the assembled position with respect to the post |0| by any suitable means such, for example, as the screw |09 having a thread formed thereon in a direction reverse to the direction of the thread on the post. The balls are adapted to engage an outer locking race III or be released therefrom selectivelyf inY accordance with the instant position of the member |01. The member III is in registered engagement with an annular member I I2 having secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding the parts together, a plurality of supports I I3 having ears I I4 projecting therefrom adapted to receive a plurality of pins ||5 and thereby secure the inner or lower portions of the shroud lines IIB. The ears II4, it will be noted, also engage the base member of the pack at the portion 86 thereof thereby securing the base to the mine until the shroud lines have been disconnected therefrom as the mine strikes the surface of the water .by the ball release mechanism controlled by the inertia member |01. When this occurs, the inertia member |01 is maintained in the moved or operated position by a locking member ||1 comprising a compression ring slideably arranged within a recessed portion ||8 of the mine casing enclosing the chamber |02 and adapted to lock the member |01 by engaging a reduced cylindrical portion thereof. The race I is maintained in registered engagement with the member I I2 by a locking ring IIS secured to the member ||2 as by the screws I 2|.

The cover 95 is provided with a circular recessed portion |22 having an aperture |23 therein of suilcient size to permit the assembly of the member |04 on the post |0| of the mine, the assembly being facilitated by the provision of a pair of recessed portions |24 within the member |04 adapted to receive a suitable tool. When the member |04 has been securely tightened against the post 10|, the screw |09 is secured. There is also preferably provided within the cover 95 a recessed portion |25 of sufficient size to receive a pocket |26 comprising a piece of canvas or other fabric material folded and secured thereto as by the rivets |21 within which is stowed a length of static line |28. 'I'he static line is releasably secured to the pocket at the points of emergence therefrom by the cords |29. The static cord is provided with a loop |3| to which is secured a central looped portion of a rip cord |32, the rip cord being secured at the ends thereof to a pair of arming pins |33 respectively disposed within the end of a pair of posts |34. The premature withdrawal of the arming pins from their respective posts is prevented by a light cord or line |35 securing the arming pin to the pair of lugs |36 to which the straps 92 are attached. Y Each of the posts |34 is arranged within a pair of apertures within the base and within the cover respectively, one end of the post being provided with a washer or shoulder |31 secured thereto for engaging the base 85 and the opposite end portion of the post having a shoulder |38 formed therein and adapted to be engaged by a circular plate |39 having an aperture |4| therein of sufficient size to support the plate |39 slideably upon the post |34 at a reduced cylindrical portion |42 thereof. The plate |39, it will be noted, is provided with two slots |43 adapted to engage the lugs |36 at the bent over end portions |44 thereof and releasably secure the lugs to the plate by reason of the provision of a second plate |45 slideably arranged on the reduced portion |42 of the post |34 and releasably maintain the plate |45 in substantial abutting relation with the plate |39 by the arming wire |33, the plate |45 having two diametrically arranged recessed portions |46 therein adapted to clamp the lugs |36 to the plate |39.

The pack is Vadapted to enclose and tightly stow a parachute |41 arranged therein and protect the parachute at all times during the handling and transportation of the mine. The inner end of the static line |28, it will be noted, is disposed between the cover and the base as at |48 at a point relatively near the edge of the pocket |26 and secured to the hem cord of the canopy of the parachute. By arranging the edge of the pocket |265 relatively close to the periphery of the cover 95, there is no possibility of the inner length of the static cord being withdrawn from the pocket by the slip stream of the aircraft in cases where the mine is carried within the slip stream.

The operation of the parachute pack is generally similar to the operation of the parachute pack of Fig. 7 and therefore only the inertia mechanism will be described. As the mine strikes the surface of the water, the inertia of the member |01 is sufcient to overcome the spring |08 and cause the member |81 to be moved forwardly. When this occurs, the locking balls |06 are released and moved inwardly thereby causing the outer ball race member to be released from locking engagement with the member |04. The parachute and base 85 are thus disconnected from the mine at the moment of impact of the mine against the surface of the body of water.

Whereas the parachute pack is provided With an arming pin controlled by the static cord for effecting the disconnection of the cover from the base, it will be understood that, if desired, various other devices and arrangements may be employed for this purpose such, for example, as the arrangement shown on Fig. 22 of the drawings in which the straps 43 are formed with looped portions |49 at one end thereof and a cord or line is threaded through the looped portions a suiicient number of times to impart a desired degree of strength thereto and in which a static line such, for example, as the line 51 is connected to the cord I5| at a looped portion |52 formed on the static line. This arrangement provides means for securing the straps 43 in a manner such that the straps may be drawn taut by the toggle members 36 and in which, by providing a continuous cord |5| threaded through a looped portion of each of the straps 43, all of the straps are released simultaneously as the cord |5| is broken by a pull on the static line. Furthermore, if desired, the arrangement of Fig. 22 may be advantageously employed in connection with the parachute pack of Figs. 15 and 16 in lieu of the arming pin arrangement disclosed thereon for releasing the parachute from the pack.

Briefly stated in summary, the present invention contemplates the provision of a parachute pack or" rigid construction adapted to stow tightly and protect the parachute from the effects of the weather when exposed thereto during the ight of an aircraft from which the parachute is launched and in which the pack invariably maintains a predetermined size and shape prior to the launching thereof. Furthermore, the invention provides means for invariably opening the pack when the load secured thereto has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft after being dropped therefrom whereby the load may be planted with a high degree of accuracy within a relatively small target area, and in which means are provided for automatically disconnecting the parachute from the load as the load strikes the surface of a body of Water or terra rma, as the case may be.

While the invention has been described with reference to two preferred examples thereof which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A parachute pack comprising a pair of rigid separable sections, means for releasably connecting one of said sections to a load, means including a plurality of flexible tension members for bringing said sections together in registered engagement thereby to stow a parachute tightly therein, means for simultaneously releasing said flexible members thereby to disengage said sections, and means including an inertia element for disconnecting said one of the sections from the load as the load strikes a target surface.

2. A parachute pack of the character disclosed comprising two separable sections composed of rigid material and adapted to enclose a parachute, means for securing one of said sections to a load adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in flight, means including a plurality of strap members for detachably securing the other of said sections to said one of the sections, toggle means secured to said one of the sections for additionally tightening said strap members thereby Vto stow a parachute tightly therein, releasing means for said strap members, and means including a static line secured to said aircraft for operating said releasing means when the load has dropped a predetermined distance therefrom.

3. In a parachute pack adapted to release a parachute having a load secured thereto when the load has moved a predetermined distance from an aircraft in flight, a rigid dished member secured to said load and having a plurality of recessed portions about the periphery thereof, a rigid cover adapted to be brought into registered engagement with said dished member, a parachute adapted to be tightly stowed between said dished member and the cover when the cover is secured thereto, a plurality of shroud lines on the parachute and arranged within each of said recessed portions respectively, means for releasably securing the shroud lines to said load, means comprising an inertial element for disconnecting the shroud lines from the load as the load strikes a target surface and including a plurality of elongated exible tensile members for releasably maintaining the cover in registered engagement with said dished member, and means for releasing said flexible members during the free downward movement of the load through the air thereby to disengage the cover from said dished member and cause the load to be suspended by the shroud lines from the parachute.

4. In a mine adapted to be launched from an aircraft in ight, in combination, a mine casing, a parachute pack comprising two separable complementary sections, means for securing one of said sections to said mine, means for releasably maintaining said sections in registered engagement until the mine has moved a predetermined 11 distance from the aircraft, a parachute tightly stowed between said sections and having a plurality of shroud lines connected to the rim thereof, each of said shroud lines being releasably connected at the opposite end thereof to said mine, means for releasing said one of the sections dur,- ing the free flight of the mine through the air thereby to cause the downward movement of the mine to be retarded by the parachute, and means including an inertia controlled member for disengaging the shroud lines from the mine as the mine strikes a target area.

5. A parachute pack of the character disclosed comprising a base and a detachable cover and adapted to stow a parachute therein, a load se'- cured to said base and adapted to be released from an aircraft in flight, a plurality of shroud "lines on said parachute detachably secured to said load, a plurality of elongated flexible tensile members secured to said base and adapted to secure the cover thereto, a plurality of lugs respectively connected to the ends of said tensile members, eachof'said lugs having an aperture therein, means including a conical member disposed Within said apertures for releasably securing the ends of said tensile members together adjacent a central portion of said cover and eX- .terior thereto, a pocket on said cover, and means including a static line for releasing said tensile members during the descent of the load through the air, said static line having a predetermined length thereof arranged within said pocket prior l'to the release of said tensile members.

to the pack while the mine is carried within said slip stream, a pocket on said cover, means including a static line secured at one end thereof to said aircraft for releasing said cover, said static line having a predetermined length thereof arranged within said pocket, means for lightly seizing the static line to the edge of said pocket at the points of emergence therefrom, and an additional length of static line secured to the rim of the parachute for quickly pulling the parachute from the pack when the cover thereof has been removed.

`I7. In a parachute pack for a mine adapted to be carried within the slip stream of an aircraft in flight, a parachute within said pack having a plurality of shroud lines for connecting the parachute to the mine, a detachable cover for said "pack, means including 'a plurality of elongated tensile members for releasably locking the cover to the pack while the mine is carried within said slip stream, a pocket on said cover, means including a static line secured at one end thereof the parachute has been Withdrawn from the pack.

8. In a mine adapted to be launched from an Y l2 aircraft in flight and having a parachute pack secured thereto, aparachute within said pack and having a plurality of shroud lines extending therefrom, a circular member on the tail of said mine, an annular member adapted to be releasably locked to said circular member, means for connecting the shroud lines at intervals to said annular member, an inertia controlled device for releasably maintaining the annular member in locked engagement with said circular member, means for releasing the parachute from said pack when the mine has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft thereby to cause the descent of the mine through the air to be retarded by the parachute, and means for causing said inertia controlled device to operate and thereby disengage the annular member from the circular member in response to the shock of impact of the mine against the surface of the body of Water.

9. In a mine adapted to be released from an aircraft in flight, a parachute having a plurality of shroud lines and adapted to retard the fall of the mine through the air, means for releasably attaching the shroud lines to the mine, an inertia controlled member for disengaging the shroud lines from the mine as the mine strikes a target area, and means for preventing thel operation of said inertia Vcontrolled member until a shock of predetermined strength is'received by said inertia member.

10. A pack of the character disclosed comprising two separable sections and adapted to stow a parachute therein, means for releasably maintaining said sections in registered engagement, at least one of said sections having a plue rality of recessed portions therein in substantial abutting relation with the other of said sections, a plurality of shroud lines secured to the parachute and arranged with a relatively short length thereof extending from each of said recessed portions respectively, a load secured to one of said sections and adapted to be carried within the slip stream of an aircraft, means for securing each of the shroud lines to said load, means including a static line connected to the aircraft for causing the sections to be separated when the load has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft, and means including a plurality of devices respectively secured to the shroud lines and in engagement with the inner surface cf the pack for preventing an additional length of the shroud line from being withdrawn from the pack by said slip stream prior to the release of the load from the aircraft.

1l. In a parachute pack for a mine adapted to be launched from an aircraft in flight, said mine having a stabilizer therein within which the pack is disposed, a base member having an aperture centrally arranged therein, an annular member of greater diameter than said aperture and arranged coaXially therewith, a plurality of supports secured to said annular member adapted to engage the inner surface of said base member, a second annular member arranged Within the first named annular member and in registered engagement therewith, an inertia controlled device vfor releasably locking said second annular member to the tail of the mine until the mine strikes a target area thereby to disconnect said base and supports from the mine, a cover for said base adapted to enclose and protect a parachute stowed therein and having a plurality of shroud lines connected to said supports, means for releasably locking the cover to said base until the mine has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft, and means for preventing the operation of said inertia controlled device until the mine strikes the surface of a body of water.

12. In a parachute pack for a mine adapted to be launched from an aircraft in night, the combination of a base section secured to the mine, a cover for said pack adapted to be brought into registered engagement with said base section, a plurality of pairs of straps secured to the base section, means for releasably securing the ends of each pair of straps thereby to bring the cover into registered engagement with said base, means including a pair of arming Wires for releasably locking the cover to the base, a rip cord secured to said arming Wires and having a looped portion intermediate the ends thereof, a. parachute within said pack, and a static line secured to the looped portion of said rip cord and to said aircraft respectively and adapted to Withdraw the arming Wires and release the parachute when the mine has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft.

13. In a parachute pack for a mine adapted to be launched from an aircraft in flight, the combination of a base section secured to the mine, a cover for said pack adapted to be brought into registered engagement with said base section, a plurality of pairs of straps secured to the base section, means for releasably securing the ends of each pair of straps thereby to bring the cover into registered engagement with said base, means including a pair of arming Wires for releasably locking the cover to the base, a rip cord secured to said arming wires and having a, looped portion intermediate the ends thereof, a parachute Within said pack, a static line secured to the looped portion of said rip cord and to said aircraft respectively and adapted to Withdraw the arming wires and release the parachute when the mine has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft, and a pocket on said cover Within which a predetermined length of said static line is stored prior to the release of the mine from the aircraft.

14. In a parachute pack for a mine adapted to cluding a pair of arming Wires for releasably locking the cover to the base, a rip cord secured to said arming Wires and having a looped portion intermediate the ends thereof, a parachute Within said pack, a static line secured to the looped portion of said rip cord and to said aircraft respectively and adapted to Withdraw the arming Wires and release the parachute When the mine has moved a predetermined distance from the aircraft, a pocket on Said cover Within Which a predetermined length of said static line is stored prior to the release of the mine from the aircraft, and means for preventing the arming Wires from being Withdrawn until said predetermined length of static line has been Withdrawn from said pocket.

15. A parachute pack of the character disclosed comprising two separable sections composed of rigid material and adapted to enclose a parachute, means for securing one of said sections to a load adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in flight, means including a plurality of strap members for detachably securing the other of said sections to said one of the sections, toggle means secured to said one of the sections for additionally tightening said strap members thereby to stow a parachute tightly therein, means for locking the toggle member when the strap members have been additionally tightened thereby, releasing means for said strap members, and means including a static line secured to the aircraft for operating said releasing means when the load has dropped a predetermined distance therefrom.

GRAHAM B. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the -flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,165,891 Martin Dec. 28, 1915 1,442,345 Kee Jan. 16, 1923 1,795,168 Habermehl Mar. 3, 1931 1,909,158 Albihn May 16, 1933 2,327,359 Manson Aug. 24, 1943 2,345,616 Manson Apr. 4, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 155,787 Great Britain Dec. 23, 1920 693,336 France Aug. 19, 1930 

